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«anne boleyn»

“Anne…” Vlad stood from the bed and walked over to her, kneeling in front of where she sat by the fire. His hands grabbed hers and held them with a gentleness that matched his eyes as he gazed upon her. “I would never lie to you. I would rather God strike me down where I kneel now before I ever do something of the sort. My vows to you are true and will remain true. I care for you more than you realize, and I do not consider our union as you replacing Mirena in any way. Our marriage is a new chapter in both our lives, and one I am elated to share with you…

He told her he wanted children and then proceeded to tell her that he would not be able to give her any. It broke Anne’s heart. She had wanted to be a mother, always.

The prince sighed softly and stood, turning his attention to the fire that became weaker and dimming. He almost felt like he, too, was becoming weaker. More vulnerable in front of another. Something he wasn’t used to in the years after Mirena’s passing. It was too late, though. He couldn’t go back from his decision to tell her everything. 

“When war was upon us with Mehmed, I didn’t have nearly enough of an army as I do now. I was afraid of not only losing my home and my family, but my land and people as well. They were everything to me. Essentially, they were my life, and I would have done anything to keep them all safe.” Vlad’s shoulders became rigid as he began his story.

“It was then that I knew I needed help. My men would not be able to defeat Mehmed’s army that was in the hundred thousands. We would have been crushed in minutes. What I needed was something more, and so I sought out help in the mountains. I came upon a being, someone much older than I, that lived in a cave on his own. Bones lie everywhere you walked, the smell of decay surrounding us in a palpable scent that was almost sickening. It was hard to be there, to stare into Death’s red eyes and plea for help. And so he did.”

Turning now, his eyes were diverted to the rug beneath his feet. “He told me that I would have his powers. The strength of 100 men, the speed of lightning, sight and smell heightened beyond anything I could ever imagine. The only thing I needed was to avoid feeding for three days. When I asked what he meant, he explained that I would have a thirst for blood that would burn in my throat, but I had to resist it for three days in order to change back to my normal self…

And so I complied. He gave me his blood, and I drank. And then…I died. I woke up by the river then, and I could tell what I had done had worked. 

In all honesty to herself she had known something was off about the man. He was told to be her elder by a good amount of years, but he appeared as young as she. He always drank and ate so little. Slept little too. Anne has to admit she found it odd that he should not require more rest as a long and ruler of his people; plagued with things like disagreements and wages.

She had wanted to write it off as an excuse for not wanting children. Anne wanted to laugh the most bitter laugh she could manage, but she knew- he was telling the truth. With a thick swallow, she raised her eyes to his, commanding attention as she stood- equal to her husband. “And you thought not to tell me before the wedding in fear I would not marry you...” she deduced, her head still reeling.

‘I want only you!’ God how his words struck a chord in her heart. She has waited for the day that a man would say that to her, causing her heart to bubble up in her chest and set her free from the pressures of her family.

“I will meet you by the boat at midnight, then…” she held his hand firmly. There was nothing that could keep her from going with him. “I’ll bring as much as I can fit into my larger trunk. I can sell some jewels and we can get some money to at least start a life.”

She wanted to kiss him desperately, but knew she must save it for later. “I love thee, sweet love of mine.” She whispered softly before making her exit with a brisk walk up to her chambers, already beginning to pack.

Anne redressed in a gown of blue fabric, simple but nice enough to denote she was a lady. She wore a dark cloak and had her long dark curls tucked into its hood. It was raining slightly as she waited, praying that he would make an appearance. They only had a matter of minutes left to board.

“Oh Thomas… where are you?”

There were a few moments when he thought that he wouldn’t make it. But he urged the horse on, finally reaching the docks with minutes to spare. He found her waiting there, and he felt his heart give a funny thump. One of relief and worry at having her stand there alone. Neither of them had time for a proper greeting as they needed to catch the ship. The captain commented on how they barely made it and that someone “up there” must have wanted them to leave England.

Thomas could only smile and then lead Anne to the small cabin they would use for the duration of their voyage. He tried not to think about the uproar that was happening back at court once her family discovered her absence. They were well away, and by the time they reached France, they would be safe and could disappear into the countryside forever.

Once the cabin door had been closed and locked, he drew Anne into his arms and kissed her passionately, murmuring her name against her lips as he pulled away. His finger slid through the silky dark locks, and his gaze was on hers: caught in those sensual eyes that had hooked him from the very beginning.

It was still late. Her father would most likely not notice her absence from court until mid-morning the next day. Long after they would be far enough away to escape the clutches of her family and of Henry Tudor. As he led her to their small little cabin of a space she blushed, thinking about what was to come with him. A whole life. Not just an emotional and mental love but a physical one as well. Her heart was reeling.

She felt her body flinch as he locked the door, the thought of being away from prying eyes setting her skin afire. And like that- his lips were on hers, with fervor and with love. With passion and want. She thought the Lord had called her home already, because surely this was what heaven was like. Her dark eyes fluttered as she looked up at him, so drawn into his being. This was the man that was hers; oh how she was so lucky.

“I was just worried you’d changed your mind.” She said as her hand came to his cheek, caressing the damp skin gently. “I just, while I was waiting. I took the liberty of asking the captain to wed us here. Tonight.” She blushed, obviously very forward. “It’s just- I don’t need a flashy ceremony. And I’d rather be your wife here and now in this dirty little ship cabin than anywhere else.”

She grasped his hand tightly in hers, eyes pleading, “I know it’s pouring. But the ordeal should only take a few minutes. And then we can return here to our quarters... and” she swallowed thickly her cheeks blushing a deeper crimson as the thought of consummating their marriage overtook her thoughts.

Anne waited patiently with baited breath for his answer, her nerves boiling up inside of her, setting her skin afire with blush. Anne watched him, dark eyes scanning his face for hints of feelings. “My future is my own, sweet sir. Is it not handed to women just as much as it is handed by God to men?” She needed him to know that this was her choice, he was her choice.

“I need no castle, no diamonds, no fortune. I am fortunate enough to give and receive God’s greatest gift which is love. What is a home if not a place? It is a person, my lord. As for your name, I would be proud to bear your name.” She took his hand deliberately in her own holding it tight. “I would be proud to be your wife, the mother of your children, anything you ask me to be. I would be proud.” She kissed his hands gently.

“We don’t need material things. We will have one another, our poetry, our books, our goals and aspirations. We will have each-other. Does that not fulfill you?

Her question wasn’t meant to sound pointed, but she wanted him to know that she would be by his side. Through everything. Tired from work, old from age, weary from childbirth; through it all she would remain faithfully his wife.

“Thomas,” she spoke softly, looking into his eyes, “If you will have me…” she bowed slightly before him, nervous, shaking, overcome with emotion.

She wanted to be his wife. Thomas couldn’t remember the last time he felt such joy, and while the challenge of dealing with her family would be inevitable, he was ready to fight for his love. Now that he knew that Anne reciprocated his feelings despite his lack of wealth and prestige, he could take on anyone, even under the pain of death.

He stopped her from bowing, gently helping her rise up so that he could look her in the eyes. The urge to kiss her then was overwhelming, but even he knew not to overstep such boundaries. Only when they were wed would he dare to shower her with affection, with sweet kisses and loving embraces.

                 “I will, Anne. I have no intent of pursuing your lands, your                    monies, or your great houses. I want only you.”

Though both of them would most likely be shunned from proper society and she would lose her place among the Boleyns, they would have each other. With Anne by his side, he would need nothing else.

                  “Your father and your uncle would object if they heard of                      our plans. We must leave England. Tonight.”

Maybe it was too soon, but he feared that the longer both of them stayed there, the greater the risk that the Duke of Norfolk would figure out what was going on. And when a powerful man like him wanted to stop something from happening, he would. He thought of fleeing to France, to a small French countryside where he could make a living as a small landowner and an inventor.

“I will meet you by the boat at midnight, then...” she held his hand firmly. There was nothing that could keep her from going with him. “I’ll bring as much as I can fit into my larger trunk. I can sell some jewels and we can get some money to at least start a life.”

She wanted to kiss him desperately, but knew she must save it for later. “I love thee, sweet love of mine.” She whispered softly before making her exit with a brisk walk up to her chambers, already beginning to pack.

Anne redressed in a gown of blue fabric, simple but nice enough to denote she was a lady. She wore a dark cloak and had her long dark curls tucked into its hood. It was raining slightly as she waited, praying that he would make an appearance. They only had a matter of minutes left to board.

&&. 

originally, i thought i was going to have a couple nights off this week to do some writing and such and just relax. boi was i wrong. i just got my schedule for one of my jobs and i work every night this week after working a full-time job in the morning. so monday-friday this week will be H E L L. extremely sporadic. i will be working 13 hour days monday-friday. and saturday and sunday i have an 8-hour shift. my hope is to blaze through some stuff tonight, but i can’t make any promises. some of my health stuff is starting to flare up again and i also have to deal with that. 

. Grew up in the French court (oui oui bonjour)

. Thought that life was a chore (so she set sail)

. Wanted to dance and sing

. Politics weren’t their thing

. But then met the king

“Anne…” Vlad stood from the bed and walked over to her, kneeling in front of where she sat by the fire. His hands grabbed hers and held them with a gentleness that matched his eyes as he gazed upon her. “I would never lie to you. I would rather God strike me down where I kneel now before I ever do something of the sort. My vows to you are true and will remain true. I care for you more than you realize, and I do not consider our union as you replacing Mirena in any way. Our marriage is a new chapter in both our lives, and one I am elated to share with you…

He told her he wanted children and then proceeded to tell her that he would not be able to give her any. It broke Anne's heart. She had wanted to be a mother, always.

Pink hues crept their way unto her soft cheeks. Anne never thought that Thomas would say such a thing. His presence made her wish she wouldn’t go to France at all. She wanted to remain here, with him.

Dark orbs looked over the book of poems he had handed back to her. She traced the gold lettering that adorned the leather of the book. “Passion has nothing to do with it, my Lord,” Anne spoke quietly as she shook her head, looking back at Thomas. Leaving England, and leaving him would indefinitely ruin her. Her sweet nature and temperate manner would disappear. Sure, he was not rich, nor was he truly all that noble, but Anne did not care. He was sincere and kind. More so than anyone Anne had ever met. 

Soft hands encapsulated his own before leading him from the small alcove and to a place even more reserved and away from the loud mirth of the English court. The colored light of stained glass kissed her skin as she stood before him, willing to tell the truth.

“My lord Sharpe, I am afraid I must confess.” Her eyes never wavered, continuing their examination of him. “I do not wish to leave England so long as you love me the way I do you.” Her breath was shaky as she held the book of poems to her chest.

“I am aware of the scandal we would risk and I know that I would most certainly be shunned by my family, but I would not care if you let me be your wife. I do not have a large dowry, but I am sure it could sustain us.” Her hopes were making themselves known as she spoke, but she finally came down to earth. “If you do not feel the same, and if my feelings pose as an inconvenience, we will forget the whole matter. I will go to France as planned and nothing will be in vain. But if not, I beg of you, please tell me.”

He felt his heart drop to his chest and then rise at her words. This was not the outcome he had expected, but he would be lying if he said that he didn’t dream of it. He took a few moments to compose himself before he spoke, and when he did, his voice trembled a little. More out of nerves than fear, which was what he should have been if he were to go against a powerful family.

               “…feelings are never an inconvenience. But in a world where a woman’s father                    determines her future, they can be a burden. I cannot lie and deny what I                    feel towards you, Lady Anne. But I cannot offer you a good life. I have no castle,                    only a crimson-ridden plot of land and a crumbling home. Poverty hidden by a                    good name.”

A passionate speech, to be sure, but he half-expected the sting of eventual rejection. Any woman in the same class as her wouldn’t seek the love of a former aristocrat. Not when she had the means and the connections. However, he fully believed that there was a side to Anne who refused to believe in the ambitious ideals of their time, and it was to that side that he focused on. A Boleyn ( well, most of them, anyway ) would claw their way to the top and put one of their girls in the king’s path. 

If he could, he would place them far from the maddening crowd and in a corner solely devoted to poems and passion and beauty and art. And love, if they would fall into that certain indulgence. He would allow himself to be SELFISH and boldly ask her if he could be her husband: a man incapable of wealth but more than capable of genuine love.

"I need no castle, no diamonds, no fortune. I am fortunate enough to give and receive God's greatest gift which is love. What is a home if not a place? It is a person, my lord. As for your name, I would be proud to bear your name." She took his hand deliberately in her own holding it tight. "I would be proud to be your wife, the mother of your children, anything you ask me to be. I would be proud." She kissed his hands gently.

"We don't need material things. We will have one another, our poetry, our books, our goals and aspirations. We will have each-other. Does that not fulfill you?

Her question wasn't meant to sound pointed, but she wanted him to know that she would be by his side. Through everything. Tired from work, old from age, weary from childbirth; through it all she would remain faithfully his wife.

Anne stirred upon Vlad’s kiss to her head. She had not been in a deep sleep, nor had she expected him to come to bed so early. It was their wedding night, and despite the celebration, Anne did not know what to expect from him. 

Rolling onto her other side to face him, she brushed her dark locks from her face. A soft smile crept unto her lips. His brow was furrowed. Vlad was deep in thought. Her insecurity could not help but spark the fear that perhaps she was the reason he was deep in thought. Did he think their union was a mistake?

“You know, if you don’t stop with that frowning, your face will be stuck like that forever.” A soft chuckled escaped her pink lips as she reached out for his arm, stroking the skin gently. “I hope that I was accepted at the festivities. I know that it may be difficult for people to like me, let alone refer to me as your wife….” Anne swallowed thickly, biting her lip. “I pray that Ingeras grows fond of me…” She knew that she could never replace his mother, but she hoped that Vlad’s son would grow to trust her as a mother figure. Anne craved children. It was something they had never talked about. Vlad already had a son. It was assumed that Ingeras would be his successor and that he was satiated by his first child. While Anne wanted to be a doting and caring stepmother, she also wanted a child of her own. A child of her flesh. 

Sitting up, she gathered the courage to break the ice on the topic.

“Vlad…” her voice started high and slow, “I was wondering.” She paused, taking a breath, “I was wondering what you would think of more children.” She quickly followed with an explanation, not wanting to offend her husband, “Please do not think I do not love Ingeras, for I do, as if he was of my blood. But, I would like to bear a child. To be a mother in every sense of the word.” 

Anne shook her head, slipping her tender fingers from his grasp, "I understand, Vlad." She spoke softly, moving to lay back down. "Please forget I mentioned anything." Her dark eyes lost their spark and her smile faded just as quickly. She felt cold. Cold and dead. But she would endure. She always endured. Anne was strong no doubt, and she swore she would be the best step mother she could be to Ingeras.

Then, he paused. He seemed so hesitant and she was laying back down, looking up at him. He had brought up what he had once told her before their marriage. It was a while ago, during their courtship. "I remember." She mumbled softly, still feeling dejected. Tears peppered her eyes and cheeks and her heart beat erratically in her chest.

"I remember clearly." She wiped her face slightly, "But you do not have to tell me if you do not want to. And you don't have to make up excuses." She shook her head. "I cannot imagine all of the pain you have experienced, Vlad. But you do not have to lie to me. You don't have to tell me that you would love to have a child when you don't want one, or anything else for that matter."

"I-I will never be able to replace her. And I am sorry." She said softly. "I wish she were still here. Because I feel how much you love her. And I feel how much Ingeras loves her." Swallowing thickly, Anne shook her head as she slipped from the bed, "I married you, because I fell in love with you. No matter what or who you are." She was looking at the fireplace, the light catching her dark eyes, "And if the feeling is not mutual, then I understand. But I will make one thing clear. I do not want to be lied to. About your feelings, or about our marriage. If you don't want a child, then say so."